U.S. OLYMPIC TRACK AND FIELD TRIALS

Tie drama doesn’t slow sprinters

— Looking so smooth and seemingly exerting little effort, Allyson Felix glided to an easy heat victory in the 200 meters.

Minutes later, appearing just as smooth and effortless, Jeneba Tarmoh cruised to a victory in her heat at the U.S. Olympic Track and Field Trials on a drizzly Thursday.

If controversy was weighing the sprinters down, they didn’t show it on the track.

Five days ago, the training partners crossed the finish line in a tie for the third and last Olympic spot in the 100.

Now, everyone is waiting to see what they will choose to break the dead heat - a runoff, coin flip or if one of them simply gives the spot to the other.

After the race, Felix and Tarmoh might have gotten more of a workout than on the track - trying to make it through the media without saying a word.

First was Felix, who followed her coach, Bobby Kersee, through the corral and into the restricted area reserved for athletes. The only thing she muttered on her way out was a simple “after the final” comment.

Kersee, who also coaches Tarmoh, doubled back around and met up with Tarmoh, escorting her through the same horde. Tarmoh apologized on her walk, politely declining interview requests with a “No, I’m sorry.”

Felix and Tarmoh have already said they won’t announce any sort of decision until after the final Saturday.

Judging by their performance on a slick track, they should each have a lane on that day.

In a close finish to end the night, Galen Rupp held off Bernard Lagat in the 5,000 final, a race that came down to a sprint at the end. Rupp also won the 10,000 last week.

Julie Culley (women’s 5,000), Evan Jager (steeplechase), Lance Brooks (discus)and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Brad Walker (pole vault) also won.

Felix blasted out of the blocks in her 200 heat and finished in 22.82 seconds.

And then Tarmoh took the track. Like Felix, she took off and couldn’t be caught, clocking 22.90 seconds.

The 100-meter flap seemed hardly a concern.

USA Track and Field was caught off guard by the third place tie and had no protocol in place. The organization had to make one up in a hurry, resulting in all sorts of criticism.

The 200 has long been Felix’s specialty, winning Olympic silver medals in 2004 and2008. She’s said that if she doesn’t get a gold in the 200, it will be considered a “failure.”

“Just because it’s not my first Games, not my second, but my third time,” Felix said in a recent interview. “I’ve had eight years to think about being a silver medalist. This time I want to win.”

Sanya Richards-Ross also looked strong in her opening heat as she tries to make the team in the 200 after already earning a spot in the 400.

“The first race is always the toughest, because you really want to go for it but you want to stay controlled,” Richards-Ross said. “I felt good today.”

There was a close finish for the third and final spot in the 5,000 as Kim Conley just edged a fading Julia Lucas. Leading late in the race, Lucas simply ran out of steam in the final 100 meters.

Jenny Simpson’s focus was on the track for four minutes - 4 minutes, 16.70 seconds, to be exact - before her mind returned to a raging wildfire back home in Colorado.

The 1,500 runner was highly concerned about the fire near Colorado Springs.

Her home is safe for now, she said, adding, “I’m suspicious everyone wants me to focus on my racing here. I’ll find out the state of my home when I get home,” she said.

Eye on Arkansans

How athletes with Arkansas ties are doing at the U.S. Olympic track and field trials in Eugene, Ore .:

THURSDAY’S RESULTS

MEN

JEREMY SCOTT (UA) Finished second in the pole vault with a clearance of 18 feet, 4 1/2 inches. Earned spot on U.S. Olympic team.

NKOSINZA BALUMBU (UA) Finished seventh in the triple jump with a leap of 53 feet, 11 3/4 inches. Advanced to the final.

DORIAN ULREY (UA) Finished 24th in the 1,500 in 3 minutes, 42.55 seconds. Advanced to the semifinal round.

CALEB CROSS (UA) Finished 27th in the 400-meter hurdles in 57.05 seconds.

Failed to advance.

DUNCAN PHILLIPS (UA) Finished 26th in the 1,500 meters in 3 minutes, 42.75 seconds. Failed to advance.

WOMEN

BRITTANY HYTER (UA) Finished 27th in the 400 hurdles in 1 minute, 0.36 seconds. Failed to advance.

LASHAUNTE’A MOORE (UA) Finished 15th in the 200 meters in 23.09 seconds. Advanced to the semifinals.

ON TAP TODAY MEN

ATHLETE EVENT ROUND

LaShawn Butler (UA) 200 first

Tyson Gay (UA) 200 first

Wallace Spearmon (UA) 200 first

Dorian Ulrey (UA) 1,500 semis

WOMEN

LaShaunte’a Moore (UA) 200 semis

Sports, Pages 25 on 06/29/2012

Upcoming Events